Internationalisation of companies: grants and key steps

In 2023, Spanish exports reached €354,741 million, the second highest figure on record (Ministerio de Economía, 2024). The EU takes 62.7% of those exports, but emerging and Latin American markets are growing faster. For SMEs in Spain that do not yet export, or that export only occasionally, there are non-repayable public grants of up to €24,000 and support programmes that cut the risk of going international considerably.

What grants are available to take your company international

Spain has a complete support ecosystem for internationalisation, led by ICEX and complemented by regional agencies such as ACCIÓ in Catalunya.

ICEX Next: the flagship programme

ICEX Next is the flagship programme of ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones for SMEs that want to sell in international markets. It offers:

• A grant of up to €24,000 on a non-repayable basis (up to 60% of the eligible budget)
• Tailored advice from consultants who specialise in internationalisation
• Duration: support throughout the whole internationalisation process
• 2025 budget: €6 million for 250 places (ICEX, 2025)

ICEX Next requirements:

• Being an SME with its registered office in Spain
• Having export capability (a competitive product or service)
• Exports below 30% of total turnover
• Not being the subsidiary of a foreign company

Other ICEX grants

ICO funding for internationalisation

The Instituto de Crédito Oficial (ICO), the Spanish state finance agency, offers specific credit lines for companies that need capital for their international operations: export finance, productive investment abroad and guarantee lines for international contracts. These lines work alongside the export credit insurance provided by CESCE, which covers the risk of non-payment in deals with foreign clients.

Is your company ready to export? Request a free assessment and we will look at your internationalisation potential.

What does ACCIÓ offer companies in Catalunya?

Companies based in Catalunya have access to a particularly complete internationalisation ecosystem through ACCIÓ (Agència per a la Competitivitat de l'Empresa), with more than 40 offices worldwide and 500 support professionals (ACCIÓ, 2026).

Flagship ACCIÓ programmes:

• Catalunya Exporta: an entry-level export programme for companies with no international experience, with vouchers of up to €10,500
• Cupons eTrade: aid for exporting through digital channels (marketplaces, international e-commerce)
• ACCIÓ trade offices abroad: a network of 40 offices that identify partners, clients and suppliers in target markets
• Trade missions: organised trips to priority markets with a prepared meeting agenda

Impact: ACCIÓ has mobilised €455 million in exports through the projects it manages, creating more than 1,370 jobs in Catalunya.

ACCIÓ grants are compatible with ICEX programmes, so companies in Catalunya can combine both sources of support to widen their international reach.

How to take your company international step by step

Going international is not a leap in the dark if it is planned properly. These are the key steps:

1. Assess your export capability

Before looking for markets, work out whether your company is ready:

• Is your product or service competitive outside Spain?
• Do you have the production capacity to serve international demand?
• Do you have the financial resources to sustain the initial investment?
• Does your team have language skills and foreign trade know-how?

2. Choose priority markets

You cannot go to every market at once. Look at factors such as geographical and cultural proximity, market size and growth potential, entry barriers (tariff, regulatory, logistical) and the presence of local competitors.

3. Draw up an internationalisation plan

A strategy document that sets out target markets, the entry model (direct export, distributor, sales agent, subsidiary), pricing policy, the international marketing plan and a detailed budget. This plan is a requirement for most public grant applications.

4. Adapt product and communication

Every market has its own particulars: technical rules, consumer preferences, language, packaging. Adapting may call for specific certifications, translation of sales material and an adjusted value proposition.

5. Find partners and distribution channels

The ICEX and ACCIÓ offices in each market make it easier to identify distributors, sales agents and potential partners. International trade fairs and trade missions are key tools at this stage.

6. Arrange funding and cover

Secure the funding for international operations (documentary credit, CESCE export credit insurance) and plan how to manage currency risk if you trade outside the euro area.

7. Measure and scale

Set clear KPIs from the start: export volume, number of international clients, margin per market, acquisition cost. Review the results every quarter and decide whether to consolidate in current markets or expand into new ones.

Common mistakes when going international:

• Trying to enter too many markets at once without enough resources
• Failing to adapt the product or the message to the local market
• Underestimating international payment terms and their effect on cash flow
• Not registering trade marks and patents in target markets before trading
• Ignoring cultural differences in commercial negotiation
• Not applying for the public grants available, simply because you do not know about them

Did you know that you can combine ICEX Next aid with ACCIÓ grants and ENISA funding to cover the whole internationalisation process? See how →

How to fund internationalisation by combining grants

The most effective strategy combines several sources of funding:

1. ICEX Next (a grant of up to €24,000) — advice and first commercial actions
2. ACCIÓ Catalunya (vouchers of up to €10,500) — getting started in exports and in digital channels
3. ENISA loans — funding for the working capital needed to operate in new markets
4. ICO internationalisation lines — bank funding on preferential terms
5. Next Generation funds — for digitalisation projects tied to exporting (e-commerce, B2B platforms)
6. R&D&I tax deductions — if internationalisation involves developing an adapted product

A Fractional CFO can also design the best financial structure for international expansion, making sure the company keeps enough liquidity while it invests in new markets.

The Estrategia de Internacionalización de la Economía Española 2017-2027 (Ministerio de Economía, 2024), the Spanish internationalisation strategy, aims to widen the base of companies that export regularly and to diversify target markets. Public aid is aligned with that strategy, giving priority to sectors with high competitive potential and to emerging markets with growing demand for Spanish products and services.

Spanish sectors with the greatest international potential in 2026:

• Agrifood and wine (Europe's export leader)
• Technology, software and digital services (growing 15% a year)
• Automotive supply industry (transition to the electric vehicle)
• Renewable energy and energy efficiency
• Tourism and hospitality (exportable know-how)
• Consultancy and engineering (expansion into LATAM and MENA)

Do you want to expand your company into international markets? At Tecnocim Innova we work with you from the first assessment through to managing grants and planning the finances of your internationalisation. Contact us for a review with no obligation.